As an archipelago nation made up of 18,000 islands and perfectly positioned to catch uninterrupted swell from the Indian Ocean along its shallow reefs, it’s no wonder Indonesia has earned the reputation for being one of the world’s best surf destinations. Combine that with its year-round consistency, swell variety, and the allure of still empty waves in hard-to-reach (but getting easier) locations across the archipelago, it’s safe to say that the Indonesian surf landscape is one that’s still only just revealing itself. In this guide, we share the current line up of Indonesia’s best surf spots, from the crowded, but can’t miss, swells of Bali to the up-and-comer destinations like Sumbawa, Sumba, and Sumatra.
Sumatra
When to Surf Sumatra
March to September in South Sumatra and the barrier islands; November to March in North Sumatra around Aceh and Simeulue
Increasingly becoming one of Indonesia’s most popular surf destinations, Sumatra, specifically its western coastline and its barrier islands, with the Mentawais, Banyaks, Telo, Simeulue, Hinako, and Nias among them, have never been more accessible than they are now. Better infrastructure and more flights and charters into surf hubs and gateway towns like Aceh in North Sumatra and Bandar Lampung in South Sumatra, make this surf frontier a first rate choice for empty lineups. For now at least, many of its best and yet undiscovered waves, most of which are A-frames, point break barrels, and long, peeling coral reef rights and lefts are refreshingly still void of crowds.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodges, & Charters in Sumatra
- South Sumatra: Be Ocean Krui and Cabana Surf & Stay
- North Sumatra & Simeulue: Simeulue Surf Lodges or Aura Surf Resort
- Barrier Islands: Keyhole Surf Camp in Nias, Surfing Village in Telo Island
- Charters to the Barrier Islands: Mentawai Surf Charters & Ono Niha Surf Charter
Sumbawa
When to Surf Sumbawa
May to August
Home to Lakey Peak, one of the best A-frames in the world, Sumbawa is a fast-emerging surf destination two islands east of Bali that still glistens with the possibility of empty line ups. Its rural west and more developed east coastlines are known for having powerful and fast-breaking waves over rather unforgiving shallow reef, especially at Scar Reefand Supersuck in the west and Lakey Peak in the east. The best time to surf Sumbawa, either coast, is between May and August, during the dry season when there’s consistently clean SW swell and the east trade winds are barely blowing.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodges, & Charters in Sumbawa
- Eastern Sumbawa: The Peak Surf House
- Western Sumbawa: Castaway Surf Retreat or Kini Resort & Villas
- Charters: Sri Noa Noa
Java
When to Surf Java
April to late September, with May through August being peak season
Java’s Grajagan, or G-Land as it is better known, has been part of surfing lore since the 1980s for its near perfect machine-like barreling waves set amidst untouched, rainforest-rich shores. From east to west, Java’s Indian Ocean-facing south coast has a sprinkling of epic river mouth, reef, beach, and point breaks and a little something for every level of rider. The more advanced will want to veer towards Panaitan Island’s peeling reef lefts, especially the tight barrels at One Palm and the left reef point at Napalms, and of course G-Land’s long and challenging series of reef breaks including the clean left tubes of Money Trees and the long, fast, and hollow rides at Speedies. Intermediates will love the reef shelf at Sawarna Beach, the mostly left reef break at 20/20s, or the forgiving A-frame of Tiger Tracks at G-Land. Beginners might like the sandbars and beach breaks at Pacitan, the mellow rights of Batu Karas, the crumbly, coral-free waves at Parangtritis on a small day, and the ankle burners on the eastern end of Pangandaran.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodging, & Charters in Java
- Surf Camps: Mojosurf Camp Red Island, Big Daddy’s Surf Camp, & Bobby’s G-Land in East Java
- Surf-friendly Lodging: RNV Family Guesthouse in West Java
- Charters: Just Dreaming Surf Charters in West Java
Sumba
When to Surf Sumba
March to December, with April to September being the most consistent; glassy conditions and epic swell can also be found from October to December
Thanks to a deep ocean trench off its exposed south coast, rugged and remote Sumba south of Sumbawa is remarkably consistent, with perfect, glassy waves most of the year and empty line-ups. Occy’s Left is the island’s most famous wave, a frighteningly fast and hollow two- to three-hundred-meter ride with ripple walls and insane barrels. Access, however, is exclusively for guests at the luxury NIHI Sumba Eco-Resort and limited to 12 registered surfers per day – a slight hindrance, but one that guarantees a crowd-free, world-class wave as long as the rules continue to apply. Other Sumba breaks to seek out are those on the more developed western end of the island, like the river mouth left hander at Pero, the clean, consistent left reef break at Waingapu, and the challenging paddle, but glorious A-frames of Pantai Marosi. On the eastern end, position yourself close to Kalala Beach for a bouquet of breaks on your doorstep, including the intermediate-friendly The Office, Racetrack, and Five-O. Alternatively, zero in on the boat access-only Miller’s Right for a set of rights that cater to all levels, ranging from fast, hollow sections for the advanced to mellow shoulders for the beginners.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodging, & Charters in Sumba
- Surf Camps: Sumba Surf Camp
- Surf-friendly Lodging: NIHI Sumba, Camp Tarimbang, & Alamayah Boutique Retreat Hotel
- Charters: Sri Noa Noa & Kudanil Explorer
Bali
When to Surf Bali
Early and late dry season, including April and May and September and October
Bali is practically a rite of passage in the surf world and unfortunately that also means it’s as crowded as a surf destination could possibly get. But don’t let that deter you from its very worthwhile wave selection, including noteworthy spots like Padang Padang, Dreamlands, Bingin, and of course Uluwatu’s legendary breaks like Bombie, The Peak, Temples, and Outside Corner. Batu Bolong in Canggu and Legian Beach in Kuta offer beginner-friendly beach breaks, especially during the smaller swell months of April and May. The bigger swell rolls in from July to August, thinning some of the crowds as the less advanced stay onshore. By the late rainy season (January and February specifically), everyone’s sights are set on the east coast where spots like Sanur, Keramas, and Serangan start pumping.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodging, & Lessons in Bali
- Surf Camps: Padang Padang Surf Camp in Uluwatu, Pelan Pelan Surf Camp near Canggu, and Brown Sugar Surf Camp near Kuta
- Surf-friendly Lodging: Coconut Corner near Canggu, Uluwatu Surf Villas in Uluwatu, Komune Resort & Beach Clubnear Keramas, Suarga Padang Padang near Padang Padang and Impossibles
- Surf Lessons: Coastline Surf at Kedungu Beach (near Canggu) & Bali Back in Black in Kuta
Lombok
When to Surf Lombok
Year-round possibilities, but dry season (June to September) offers better quality and consistency at most spots, while the wet season (October to May) can bring glassier conditions and fewer crowds
Located due east of Bali, Lombok is an up-and-coming surf haven made better by its year-round surf possibilities. Home to Desert Point, one of the world’s best barreling waves by anyone’s standards, its south coast surf town of Kuta is the perfect base to day trip and charter to Lombok’s array of beginner all the way up to advanced empty-ish swell. Advanced and intermediate surfers can enjoy the buffet of choices in Gerupuk Bay, Mawi’s consistent A-frame, and Are Guling’s left and right hand reef break. Beginners and longboarders will feel at home at Ekas, Selong Belanak, Tanjung Aan, and Seger Reef where slow peelers, sandy bottoms, and a deep reef forgive a fall here and there.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodging, & Charters in Lombok
- Surf Camps: Surf & Yoga Retreat Lombok in Kuta
- Surf-friendly Lodging: Heaven on the Planet in Ekas, Ola Ola Lombok in Selong Belanak, or Novotel Lombok in Kuta
- Surf Lessons, Rentals, & Guiding: Rif in Gerupuk
The Mentawais
When to Surf the Mentawais
A year-round spot, with peak season being May to September
Technically part of Sumatra, the Mentawais deservedly get their own spotlight in this Indonesia surf guide. Comprised of 70 or so islands, there are more waves per square mile here than probably anywhere else in the world. Hollow Trees (also known as Lance’s Right), Macaronis, Rifles, Thunders, and Greenbush are among the best known waves of the Ments, but this wave-dense island chain has more than 50 recognized spots so far, all of which are known to deliver consistent, quality swell pretty much year-round. Playgrounds, at the region’s far northern end, is home to nearly half of those recognized spots, including known spots like Kandui Left, Rifles, E-Bay, and Bank Vaults and lesser-known spots like Hideaways, Burgerworld, Pistols, Four Bobs, Erek, and Shadow Right.
Recommended Surf Camps, Lodging, & Lessons in the Mentawais
- Surf Camps: Beng Bengs Surf Camp near Playgrounds
- Surf-friendly Lodging: Hollow Tree’s Resort in South Sipora
- Charters: Mentawai Surf Charters & Indies Trader
